Just a girl writing a blog, doing my best to share authentically the ways in which God is shaping me gracefully

The Guilt War

This morning during breakfast, all three boys asked to do their maze books I bought them last summer and they had deemed ‘boring’…umm, who are you and what have you done with my children??

We recently cut waaaaay back on the amount of technology we let them consume, like way waaaaay back from what we were allowing, and we have noticed quite a few differences. Less fighting, more focus, and a whole lot more creativity. I know, I’m a little slow to jump on the ‘less technology’ band wagon, but I was finally ready (read: not sick, not exhausted from lack of sleep, no longer in survival mode) to wage war on devices. Since our technology overhaul we have nixed the Wii (their arguing over it was the catalyst that led to our detox), banned tv and tablets from our mornings, and now they only get two hours in the afternoons to get in as much technology as they want, and then it’s off for the day. Making the unpopular decisions is not always pleasant, but it’s usually worth it.

I’ve felt guilty for our technology use for quite some time and have read countless articles on how bad it is, but truthfully I just wasn’t in a place where I knew I could be consistent with it. I’m not sure what changed in the last month, I just know that suddenly I felt like a warrior ready for battle, and I went in fulll force, with my husband yelling ‘go get ’em’ right behind me. Considering what a big change it was, it happened rather quietly. They protested, and let their annoyance be known, but otherwise they didn’t put up much of a fight, which caused me to wonder if maybe somewhere deep down, they recognized it was a good thing.

If you are currently struggling with feeling stuck, or like you just can’t quite get to that goal you want to be at, I just want to encourage you today to just take one tiny step towards it. Don’t feel guilty for not being where someone else is. I’ve stared at the photos others have posted of their children blissfully enjoying a ‘simple’ life, being more creative than I have probably been in my entire life! And I felt like a horrible mother, like I was ruining their lives. But the guilt didn’t help me accomplish my goal. If anything, I think it held me back because I was scared I would fail. Guilt does not come from our Creator, that isn’t how He rolls. If anything the Bible is full of encouragement to continue to seek Him and He will helps us ‘run the race marked out for us.’ We are not alone in our goals, He sees us, He hears us, and He wants us to succeed in the ways He has set out for us. Even with something as simple as my battle with technology, He was there. So friend, today, don’t let the guilt or the fear hold you back from getting to where God wants you to be. Put on your warrior best and get after it, one step at a time. He’s got your back.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30214A" data-link="(A)” style=”font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;”> with perseverance<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30214B" data-link="(B)” style=”font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;”> the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215C" data-link="(C)” style=”font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;”> the pioneer<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215D" data-link="(D)” style=”font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;”> and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215E" data-link="(E)” style=”font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;”> scorning its shame,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215F" data-link="(F)” style=”font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;”> and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30216H" data-link="(H)” style=”font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;”>and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

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3 thoughts on “The Guilt War”

I give you major props. This has become such a battle in our house lately too. We have set a limit and they have to be done before 6. Somehow they always seem to push it a little extra. I think I'll try earlier in the day like you mentioned.

I feel ya, ours like to try and push their limit too. You can do it mama! We've tried unsuccessfully before to come up with a plan we could stick to, but this one has flowed well with our family schedule.

Our two girls would test and push in different ways. But at some point when Janet and I had had it and were both on the same page, things changed for the better with less strife than expected. The girls seemed to have a sixth sense about when pushing back was going to be a losing battle. Oddly enough, they were much happier after the new limits had been imposed.